What a great day at the Kempton Gun Makers Fair!

I got great stuff, sat in some great seminars, and met some fine folks...a bunch of vets too.
Looking forward to tomorrow!

What did you buy? What kind of longrifles are for sale? Cases of Goex for cheap??? #11s?????
Come on. Show us photos!

Work (ugh) today, but looking forward to checking it out tomorrow.

I did not take any photos while I was there. Maybe I'll have to do that tomorrow. So many amazing weapons that i couldnt describe them all. The only number 11 caps I saw were of the longer variety. I did not see any powder but I also wasn't looking for it so I'll have to check on that tomorrow. When I get back to the house I can lay out my loot and take a pic.

Horns to make, wax, stalls, canteen, bag ladle, and various sundries. "Kid in a candy store" certainly was me. I think next year I save some pennies, sell some stuff, and go there looking for a new .50 long gun.

Daryl Crawford said:

Horns to make, wax, stalls, canteen, bag ladle, and various sundries. "Kid in a candy store" certainly was me. I think next year I save some pennies, sell some stuff, and go there looking for a new .50 long gun.

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Daryl Crawford said:

Horns to make, wax, stalls, canteen, bag ladle, and various sundries. "Kid in a candy store" certainly was me. I think next year I save some pennies, sell some stuff, and go there looking for a new .50 long gun.

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I am looking for a .36 or .40 flint rifle for under two grand.
See anything like that?

I believe I did, actually saw a couple. Some nicer than others.

Are there any shows like that in the central part/fly-over states of the US?

Well, I'm not getting back to the fair today. Wife started feeling poorly last night. Tested this morning so I was running for meds then quarantine and care for her. No big deal, I saw most of what I wanted to yesterday.
Got locks to time, a tomahawk and handle to work on, and reading to do so long as my patient allows. If not, there will be other days.

Kabulrocks said:

Are there any shows like that in the central part/fly-over states of the US?

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CLA show is in Lexington Kentucky August 18-20 26th Annual CLA Show & Meeting

Like your attitude DC. There's the important stuff and then the nice trinkets which you can fit in when time allows.

J

Was at the Kempton Gunmaker's fair , yesterday. Was a good experience , and hope to be able to go back next year. ...............oldwood

was there friday and today.. very good turn out on both ends. i saw a nice .36 flinter for 1200. i wound up selling the man 2 guns and not buying it. .. want to build one instead. no cases of powder and no piles of caps

Walked a rifle around today, no buyer but about 20 guys handled it and I had some great conversations with most of them.
Good seminars and demonstrations -got to see Dave Person's guns and watch him do some stock shaping.
Picked up a few items -jags, scraper and ball puller for 62 cal. Also got a sling, and a strap I've been looking for (to use on a future powder horn.)
This was my first time going to the Gunmaker's Fair, definitely a great day out, and certainly worth attending again next year.

excess650 said:

CLA show is in Lexington Kentucky August 18-20 26th Annual CLA Show & Meeting

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Thanks! That’s a bit closer but still 11 hours away. Are there any shows around St Louis? Seems to be a strong BP presence there with the Gemmer club.

Had a good time, took my 7 yo grandson. He loves blacksmithing, he was tickled when the smith Davis, I think gave him a farriers rasp. When I get my forge together he wants a sword! If I do that my daughter will give me a smack on the head!

Daryl Crawford said:

I got great stuff, sat in some great seminars, and met some fine folks...a bunch of vets too.
Looking forward to tomorrow!

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Is Kempton’s a better place for buyers than the CLA Show.
I was thinking CLA might be more of a place for showing off builder’s wares than Buying and selling. Maybe fewer guns than Kempton’s and The Log Cabin Shop.

There was a large group of vendors-- two large buildings and a number of tents outside.
A large pavilion had seminars. It is both a show and a place to buy finished guns, parts, accouterments, and sundries.

smoothshooter said:

Is Kempton’s a better place for buyers than the CLA Show.
I was thinking CLA might be more of a place for showing off builder’s wares than Buying and selling. Maybe fewer guns than Kempton’s and The Log Cabin Shop.

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Hi,
The CLA show typically has more vendors than the Gunmaker's Fair. What gets forgotten is the Fair was originally intended when it began over 35 years ago to be an educational experience. The heart of the Fair is not the vendors but the seminars, demos, and gun and accoutrement judging. Those features are absent from the CLA show. The incorrect perception that the Fair is just another venue for sellers is made worse by some folks who come and post videos focusing only on their favorite vendors and completely ignoring the other features of the Fair like the seminars.
dave

Trying to find blackpowder is difficult at best at indoor shows. When I used to do them I had to take my powder magazine with me and even with a federal explosives license I still caught #$^%